We had the good fortune of connecting with Ameera Steward and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Ameera, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I’m not going to lie, I still struggle with it unfortunately. But I think there’s a struggle with finding balance because there’s a sense of balance within finding it (I hope that makes sense). It’s mostly about being intentional. With intentionality comes discipline and consistency which takes a sense of balance. What I’ve learned is that you’re never going to be in perfect balance – it’s like a seesaw, sometimes you’ll be further on the right and sometimes you’ll be further on the left. You’ll have your perfect days, months, or even a year but because life is so unpredictable, I think there will always be something to try and tip you toward one side — and that’s OK.
I’ve struggled with finding any sense of balance because I was the person to put my all into work and everyone else, and didn’t take care of myself until after I broke down. Eventually I grew tired of putting myself last and although I’m still learning how to balance life and what she comes with, I’ve realized there are small things I can do to keep myself centered and balanced. These things included constantly talking with God, burning incense, getting back into my healthy habits, and the rest I’m still figuring out.
Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I feel like most creatives are full of different forms of art. Although I want to explore more parts of my creativity, most people know me as a writer. I like to tell in depth stories, whether they’re my own or someone else’s. It’s a form of history and people’s legacies, and for that reason I focus on telling the stories of Black people. We don’t always get our stories told, and over the years a lot of our ancestors’ stories have not only been whitewashed but also downplayed. So as of right now, that’s been my focus – bringing awareness to the great stories within my community and telling them truthfully.
I’ve been writing for years now, and me and my craft definitely have a love/hate relationship. We’ve been together for so long that I have to remember why I do this and every now and then a special story sparks that passion again. It started in college when I changed my major from Veterinary Medicine to Journalism and after that I started volunteering my services to different publications. It wasn’t until my senior year when I realized I wanted to focus on the ways in which Black people are affected in the fashion industry – mainly when it comes to cultural appropriation. Somehow, after graduation, God led me to The Birmingham Times, a place where I was not only able to gain an extreme amount of experience, but it’s where I learned how much I enjoyed telling those Black stories. Part of my long-term goal now is to focus on the Black stories within fashion history. It hasn’t been easy but I’m working on it.
That was a very condensed version of my journey, and like most condensed versions of something I didn’t mention the hardships. But this journey was never “easy.” I think my biggest struggle was when I decided to become a freelancer in 2019. With each week came a different struggle and I really don’t think I’m out of it. It’s been a battle mentally, physically, and spiritually. I struggled finding work, I struggled with my confidence, I struggled with trusting God, I struggled with trusting my plan, I struggled with my motivation and so much more. The only way I’ve been able to get through it is to trust and talk with God; to just allow myself to be, and focus on stories I’m passionate about; to stop focusing so much on money; and one of the biggest things was to stop fighting my current situation. There’s a thin line between fighting the situation and doing your part to change the situation. I had to learn how to relinquish control and take it one step, one responsibility and one idea at a time. After doing so, that’s when trusting God came in. I have to constantly remind myself that everything will be OK and that God provides exactly what I need to get to where I’m going. Again, this is something I’m still working on but it’s all about “balance.”
I want the world to know that I’m more than just a writer, and I want to be seen as such. Writing is simply a way I can express myself, but I can accomplish that in other ways as well. For instance, I enjoy expressing myself through fashion, and I’m honestly ready to explore that form of expression so that it too can be celebrated and noticed.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well, I live in Birmingham and I’ll be honest, I don’t get out much. I feel like I’m always moving but only because of work for the past years. I love being out in the sun and I really appreciate all of the trees and nature so I think I would take them to the Botanical Gardens for sure. It’s peaceful there and we could sit and talk, read, have a picnic, have a photoshoot – there’s a lot we can do there. If not the gardens then I would take them to see a park or two and possibly go for a hike. In addition, I would definitely take them to the historic landmarks here. Birmingham is such a historic place in so many ways. So much has happened here and I don’t think one should visit Birmingham without seeing places such as The Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, The Civil Rights Museum, the house Angela Davis grew up in, and a plethora of Black-owned businesses. I would take them to some of my favorite restaurants and bars as well as some of the new ones coming to the city like those located in Uptown. I would even take them to see some of the homes in Birmingham because I think we have a lot of beautiful ones. I always have the most fun when I’m floating around so that’s more than likely what we would do, and just see what finds us.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I love this question because it’s been a theme in my life for 2020 and even some of 2021. I have too many people to ‘shoutout’ but I’ll start with my family. I have a big family meaning that if no one else supports me, I know they will. If it wasn’t for my family, I wouldn’t be where I am. They’re the kind of support system that has given me endless advice, helped financially, helped me expand my ideas, and they’ve given me time and space to figure out who I am and what I want. I could say the same about my friends. I’ve known most of my friends for years, and just like family we may not always get along or talk every day, but I know they’re always there. And honestly, they support in big ways but it’s the small things that get to me – there’s one who always makes sure I’m taking care of myself, there’s another who helps me create a plan when needed (because I’m a bit too free spirited at times), there’s one that’s even always down to be my model and stretch my creativity. I really do love and appreciate my support system, even the people I don’t know personally. There have been people, especially within the last year, that have been God sent. These people have encouraged me, boosted my ego, and even gave me creative direction without knowing me. I won’t say any names, but I think everyone I’m speaking of knows who they are, and I pray they know how highly I think of them. They’re all God sent and always right on time.
Website: https://www.ameeraonthewall.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ameeraonthewall/
Other: Birmingham Times work: http://www.birminghamtimes.com/?s=ameera+steward Email: ameera.steward1@gmail.com
Image Credits
Photos of me by Makayla Davis